Recap by phillip woo

All Friends settled midfield and on the rails, improved his position two off the fence passing the 450m, straightened six deep and took control 150m out for a third win this season. Firming late to jump favourite, Croesus showed great speed to lead outright from gate 12, dropped anchor at the 600m, cornered four deep a length on top and grudgingly gave way. Seasons Star settled behind midfield and three deep with some cover, rounded the final bend widest out and finished up willingly to collar Impeccable in the final few strides. Impeccable eventually took the sit in third along the rails at the 600m, cornered in four deep, switched underneath Croesus at the 250m and kept on gamely to just miss a placing. Handsome Handsome went forward to sit outside the leader at the 600m, straightened outside Croesus and was giving way over the final 150m. Early favourite Speedygonzalez settled behind midfield and one off the rails after breaking slowly, straightened five deep and made some progress late without menacing. Kick Serve settled midfield and one off the rails, was under pressure 500m out, turned the final bend outside All Friends and kept on evenly.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (492)-KOWLOON CITY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

SPEEDYGONZALEZ, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin.

From a wide barrier, EASTERN PROMISE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, ST YAZIN was steadied away from the heels of HANDSOME HANDSOME.

Passing the 700 Metres, GOLD BALL got its head up on a number of occasions when being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDYGONZALEZ which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KICK SERVE when travelling keenly.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, ST YAZIN got its head on the side and lay out.

Shortly after entering the Straight, SPEEDYGONZALEZ was shifted to the inside of KICK SERVE to continue improving.

Near the 250 Metres, ST YAZIN shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of KICK SERVE which got its head on the side and shifted out slightly.

After the 200 Metres, CROESUS shifted out under pressure, resulting in HANDSOME HANDSOME being inconvenienced when obliged to shift out with that horse.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KICK SERVE, O Doleuze stated that after its most recent start he had suggested to the connections that they freshen up the horse.

He said he rode the horse in a piece of work in the lead up to tonight's race and, in his opinion, that work was good and he felt that the break between runs had benefited KICK SERVE.

He said tonight he had to make use of KICK SERVE in the early stages to obtain a relatively forward position, however, KICK SERVE did not travel well and he was unable to prevent ST YAZIN from shifting in in advance of KICK SERVE near the 800 Metres.

He said KICK SERVE continued to travel only fairly and after being placed under pressure well prior to the Home Turn, KICK SERVE did not finish off the race.

He added after the race he suggested that KICK SERVE may be better suited in a race over a longer distance than that of tonight's event.

A veterinary inspection of KICK SERVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.